Mrs. Anderson previously taught private piano lessons at Hardin-Simmons and was an Instructor and Staff Accompanist at McMurry University. She has maintained a successful independent piano studio in Abilene for over 30 years. Her students have been winners in local and state competitions in performance and composition. Abilene Music Teachers Association selected her as Teacher of the Year in 1979, 1985, and 2001. In 1995 she was awarded the prestigious Award for Outstanding Pre-collegiate Teaching by Texas Music Teachers Association.

Shirley Anderson has held many offices in Abilene Music Teachers Association including five terms as President. During her 2002 tenure, AMTA was selected by Music Teachers National Association as the Local Association of the Year. In Texas Music Teachers Association she has served as TMTA/MTNA Student Composition Chairman, as Teacher Recognition Awards Chairman, and on the Board of Directors.

Mrs. Anderson has the permanent professional certification from Music Teachers National Association in piano, theory, and composition. She is a faculty member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and Chairman of the Abilene North Center.

Mrs. Anderson is active as an accompanist in the community and currently serves as a Staff Accompanist at HSU. She has been the accompanist for The Classical Chorus of Abilene for eleven years and pianist at First Baptist Church for five years. For 14 years she played for the Cooper High School Choirs and toured with them in Austria, England, New York, Canada, and Italy.

Shirley Anderson is the wife of Marcus R. Anderson, mother of April (Mrs. Bill) Darroch, and grandmother of Hannah and Samuel.